Jutting out of the flat Wimmera Plains of North Western Victoria is Mount Arapiles, a sun soaked cliff line offering some of the finest rock climbing in the world!

Known for its classic traditional routes, 'Araps' is the best place in Australia to learn trad & multi-pitch climbing. It has an abundance of climbing routes- of all grades- with outstanding rock & climbing quality.

Anyone who has climbed at Mount Arapiles will forever remember it among their finest climbing memories and will long to return to the Mount as soon as possible!

ASM runs a 5 Day climbing trip to Arapiles, capped at one guide for every 3 participants. This allows us to tailor the week specifically to you and your climbing partner, resulting in a bespoke experience and training quality that you simply will not find anywhere else!

Because of this tailored experience, this course is suitable for those with minimal outdoor climbing experience through to those wishing to learn to lead climb in the multi-pitch setting.

If you book in with a partner you will also each save $100 off the course fee!

Imagine experiencing your first traditional lead climbs under the professional guidance of an ASM instructor at this internationally recognised climbing destination! If you are not yet up to leading, you will be seconding (following the guide) on some of the best climbs Araps has to offer.

At whatever level you climb, this trip will teach you more climbing and technical skills than you can probably imagine! And what better way to learn than in a great location on the most classic climbs in Australia! And at the end of the day, relax with fellow climbers at the (in)famous campground below the Mount.

With no more than 3 participants per guide, you are absolutely ensured to receive personal instruction from your highly experienced ASM guides. This will allow you to learn at your own pace, and for us to cater for participants of varying levels of experience.

This trip is always a truly enjoyable and memorable experience, for clients and guides alike!

Stefan B, April 2019:
"This was a fantastic experience and I would have no hesitation in recommending this company.

The guide wore many hats in the week, as instructor, chef and motivator. He performed at a high level of competency at all times. Very well organised. His local knowledge of Climbing routes and the area added value to the experience."

David G, May 2018 course:
"What an awesome place to learn to lead on trad gear. 

We progressed from a starter 5m face thru to a 150m multi-pitch classic with each day practicing and extending on the previous days activities. By the end of the week I was comfortable with the fundamentals to leading, placing gear, building anchors and belaying / rappelling that I could just enjoy the experience.

The ASM guides were organized, new the right places to go which saved so much time, let us learn by doing, positively assessing our gear and always having time to go over the details.

Camping under the stars and climbing in such a great spot left me buzzing for weeks and planning my return trip."

What's included:

• Pre-trip discussion with course instructor to clarify and explain your prior experience and individual course outcomes

• Optional Pickup from Horsham train station the afternoon prior to your course (typically Sunday for a Monday morning start)

• Tasty meals each day from Day 1 Breakfast through to Day 5 Lunch

• Nationally Qualified & Highly Experienced Climbing Instructors

• Extremely low guiding ratios of 1 guide to 3 participants to provide you with the best possible experience and to cater for a range of experience levels

• Camping & land use fees

• Australia's most experienced Adventure Guiding & Outdoor Training Specialists

• All Technical Equipment

This course will give you the necessary skills to:

• Manage yourself and partners in cliff environments

• Perform safety checks

• Select appropriate climbs using climbing guidebooks

• Prepare for a day on a multi-pitch climb

• Second a leader on single- and multi-pitch Traditional climbs

• Descend from the top of climbing areas using various methods

• Select and prepare anchors for abseiling & climbing

• Use removable "Trad" protection

• Improvise Basic to Advanced rope rescue techniques

• Belay for both Top Roping and Lead Climbing

• Consider & implement environmental awareness

For those participants who are experienced & ready to begin Lead Climbing, this course will also prepare you to:

• Undertake Traditional Climbing as a recreational activity

• Select & assess appropriate trad climbs

• Understand fall factors involved with lead climbing

• Identify & manage risks involved within Trad climbing

• Position your rope and self for lead belaying

• Utilise correct belay technique for lead climbing

• Select and 'rack' your Trad equipment

• Place traditional climbing protection including cams & nuts

• Efficiently handle and manage roping systems

• Build belay anchors with Trad gear, climbing rope & cordelette

• Operate belay devices in "guide mode"

• Perform rescues for your seconding climber

• Operate basic hauling & lowering systems

• Conserve energy and utilise efficient stances for clipping & placing gear

Course participants will learn while they climb and they can look forward to leading a number of selected classic climbs under the close supervision of their instructors!

Technical Grade: Medium to Hard (suitable for beginners and experienced climbers alike)
Fitness Grade:     Medium
Time:                    5 Days Training (We recommend arriving camp the night prior to the course)

Course prerequisites:

• Good fitness is necessary for this course-  We will do a lot of climbing and a lot of hiking up to and down from climbs!

• Some previous Climbing & Abseiling experience is also necessary- The more you know at the start of the course, the more you will know at the end! We recommend our Rock 1 course as the minimum prerequisite training.

• Reasonable understanding of basic climbing knots

• Experience lead climbing indoors or outdoors advantageous but not necessary!

We provide all specialist personal and group abseiling equipment including harnesses, helmets, etc.